Keys Of the Kingdom Godly Character for a Godless World

War Path Matthew 5:17-26

War Path Matthew 5:17–26 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

War Path Matthew 5:17–26 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Fulfilling Scripture Matthew 5:17-20 sets up the middle of the Sermon on the Mount by proclaiming Jesus the fulfillment of the Law. He will take a moral law from the Old Testament (You have heard it said…) and impose a widened interpretation of that law (but I say…) Jesus is the purpose of the entire Old Testament, and when we read Scripture, it is always about Him!

Righteous Anger The Commandment was narrowly interpreted as physical murder, but Jesus enhances it to speak of internal sins of anger or murdering someone’s reputation and character. You may not have physically murdered someone, but we all can easily publicly murder someone through what we say about their character. Insults and name calling are just a couple of the ways we act with evil intentions.

Key of the Kingdom The way we treat other humans is part of our right relationship with God. He is not pleased if we worship Him but hate our brothers and sisters. We must make every effort to live in peace with those who cause our anger or who are angry with us. The ministry of reconciliation can help us live the Kingdom here and now.